Day one, at Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire (378-7) v Somerset

Jamie Overton was forcibly removed from Somerset’s attack by the umpires after excessive short bowling during this crucial relegation battle, leaving captain Marcus Trescothick fuming. Trescothick collected Overton’s cap and threw it towards him after the bowler was punished.

Overton’s withdrawal shortly before tea – for the rest of the first innings – came after he had bowled just 10.4 overs and was a blow to Somerset as Nottinghamshire’s centurions David Hussey and Michael Lumb piled up a 214-run partnership on a wicket that looks slow.

The 19-year-old fast bowler, who was in England’s one-day squad for the recent series against Australia has been named in the national Performance Programme for this winter. He also had problems with being no-balled during Somerset’s previous away match against Middlesex.

Overton had bowled a beamer in the morning at Hussey, leading to an automatic final warning from umpires Michael Gough and Nigel Llong.

When he bowled two short-pitched balls in a row at Lumb, umpire Long called Gough over and the pair spoke with each other then told Trescothick that the paceman had to be removed.

Dave Nosworthy, Somerset director of cricket, was understanding towards Trescothick after his reaction. “I’d naturally think that the captain would be a bit frustrated at one of his bowlers being taken off,” Nosworthy said.

Of Overton, Nosworthy said: “He bowled a full toss above the waist, which was not intentional at all, but the laws state it’s a final warning - and he got it. The next time he did something wrong, he was gone.

“He’s an aggressive, fast bowler so the moment you bowl a bouncer, people think you are intending it. Personally, I think there was one there that slipped out – he did not bowl intentionally. But that’s a lesson for him and you’ve got to live with it. He’s on a learning curve.”

Overton had earlier caused problems with the new ball and a nasty short ball removed Riki Wessels. Somerset’s bowlers reduced Nottinghamshire to 42 for three then 76 for four, but Hussey – in his farewell match for Nottinghamshire – and Lumb changed the momentum of the day, which turned into a run-fest.

Before the match started, both sides knew that a draw - with the requisite number of bonus points - would ensure they both stayed up and would send down Derbyshire.

The England and Wales Cricket Board had specially appointed Tony Pigott as the match referee to ensure prevention of a manufactured outcome.

Discussing Pigott’s presence, the Somerset director of cricket said: “If people want to check that the game is being played in the right spirit then I have got no issue with it at all. I quite understand the ECB’s decision and we’ll be playing the game as normal so it doesn’t really affect us.”

The pitch had initially looked like one that could produce a result, as there was some early swing. Somerset, having decided not to play a spinner, won the toss and bowled.

After Overton’s early strike, Lewis Gregory bowled Steven Mullaney then trapped James Taylor – left out of the England Ashes and development squads – lbw for a duck. Samit Patel was next out, bowled by Alfonso Thomas.

Twenty20 expert Lumb showed the necessary patience, though, while Hussey provided momentum at the other end.

The Australia veteran struck four boundaries in one Gregory over, which helped take him to his half-century. Although he was dropped at first slip on 62 not out, this was an impressive effort and an attractive cover drive brought up a deserved century.

Craig Kieswetter dropped Hussey on 118 off Thomas, but the batsman added just seven more runs when the Somerset keeper made amends by taking the catch that removed him. It would have come as a relief for Kieswetter, the first-choice Somerset keeper ahead of Jos Buttler, who has been in talks with Lancashire about a move there.

Lumb went on to score 107 and, with so many runs on the board already, Derbyshire must be fearing the worst.